nonutilitarian
- adjective
- /ˌnɒnˌjuːtɪlɪˈtɛəriən/
:
no utilitario
- The gallery features nonutilitarian objects, such as intricate glass figures meant to inspire rather than serve a purpose.
Examples
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The artist created a nonutilitarian sculpture that was admired for its beauty rather than its function.
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That is, in school systems that place increasingly strong emphasis on the skills and knowledge thought to enhance the material well-being of members of society, what is the role of an apparently nonutilitarian subject?
Academic text (1996) -
Museums should remain bastions of nonutilitarian, independent research.
Academic text (2008) -
Unlike modern maps, these visual documents were intended almost entirely for recreational, pedagogical, and other nonutilitarian ends, making no claim to scientific accuracy.
Academic text (2012) -
Many people appreciate nonutilitarian poetry for its emotional depth and artistic expression.
Synonyms
Not useful for practical purposes
Antonyms
How Practical
Surface Forms
Morphology
nonutilitarian = utilitarian (transparent) = non + utilitarian + non
The productive prefix 'non-' simply negates the adjective 'utilitarian', so the meaning is directly derived and clear to learners.
Etymology
Nonutilitarian is made of non- meaning 'not' and utility meaning 'use' or 'usefulness', like in the word useful. So something nonutilitarian is 'not meant for practical use' and is valued for beauty or meaning rather than for how useful it is.